Why is Background Character the Strongest Now?-Chapter 24(World structure)
Chapter 24: Chapter 24(World structure)
Chapter 24
Daelen Voncrest stood frozen.
The cheers around him faded into a dull hum as he stared at the cracked stage.
Marcus Ardent—his friend, his rival, the genius who once fought him to a draw—lay defeated.
Ezra Celestrian stood tall.
Unscathed. Calm.
Silent.
"...Impossible," Daelen muttered.
Others might not understand.
But Daelen did.
He had fought Marcus personally. He knew how terrifying that boy’s talent was. Without the ultimate cultivation technique granted by his system, Daelen would have never stood a chance.
At Rank 2, Marcus had nearly overpowered him—spell for spell, strike for strike.
Only with that forbidden art, unlocked through a rare quest chain, did Daelen barely keep up.
Even then, he couldn’t surpass Marcus.
He thought maybe—just maybe—if he reached Rank 3, he could tip the scales.
But this?
Marcus had been defeated.
Utterly.
Cleanly.
And Ezra hadn’t even broken a sweat.
"...What the hell are you?" Daelen whispered, narrowing his eyes.
⸻
Up in the viewing deck, Lyria Aetherhart stared, mouth slightly open.
She wasn’t one to be easily impressed. She was proud, strong, and born of an ancient bloodline.
She had fought Ezra once. Thought she understood him.
But now... she realized she hadn’t seen anything.
"That wasn’t just talent..." she thought, biting her lip. "That was control. That was strength... like last year’s top ten graduates."
Then the thought hit her.
"No. Maybe even stronger than them."
⸻
A few rows behind, Evelyne Grace sat frozen, fingers clenched tightly around her armrest.
She had heard the stories from Marcus.
About his best friend. The one he always claimed was more talented than him.
She had always thought he was exaggerating.
No one could be more talented than Marcus Ardent.
He was a monster—a boy who had killed a Rank 4 vampire in the previous semester.
But this?
This was something else.
Ezra had made it look easy.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the boy with the sword.
So calm. So quiet.
And so frighteningly strong.
⸻
Dravis of the Morningstar lineage didn’t speak. His jaw twitched slightly. His fists clenched at his sides.
He had seen powerful swordsmen before. His own clan boasted Sword Kings and War Champions.
But Ezra’s flow—the way he cleaved through a Rank 5 spell like it was air—
That wasn’t brute force.
That was mastery.
And the scariest part?
Ezra hadn’t used any external weapon enchantments or elemental boosts.
Just pure swordsmanship.
"...That guy’s not normal."
⸻
As the crowd buzzed and emotions swirled, a flash of light sparked at the edge of the stage.
A golden-haired man in a dark blue coat stepped forward, clapping twice.
"Alright, that’s enough," Professor Aric’s voice echoed through the courtyard. "Students are already recovering. The match is over. Get back in line."
The murmuring crowd settled quickly.
Professor Aric turned toward Ezra, eyes gleaming with a rare spark of approval.
"All of you performed admirably," he said, "but especially you, Ezra Celestrian." free𝑤ebnovel.com
The words drew another wave of gasps. Compliments from Professor Aric—especially in public—were almost unheard of.
Ezra, as always, responded with a polite nod.
"Thank you, professor."
Simple. Distant. Uninterested.
Aric smiled faintly, then turned to address the class.
"The combat test ends here. Results will be evaluated, and rewards distributed accordingly. Dismissed."
With that, the crowd dispersed.
Students began talking in hushed, excited tones—some glancing at Ezra as they passed.
A group of first-years approached him hesitantly.
"Uh, Ezra-senpai... that was amazing!"
"You were so cool!"
"Will you train with us sometime... maybe?"
Ezra responded the same way he always did—soft, polite, and distant.
"Thank you. I appreciate it. But I train alone."
They laughed nervously and invited him to the nearby karaoke bar, still basking in his presence.
Ezra declined gently.
"I’m not fond of loud places. But I hope you all enjoy."
Then, with a small bow, he turned and walked away.
Toward the dormitory building.
Alone.
Unbothered.
⸻
Behind him, Marcus sat on the edge of the stage, clutching the remnants of his broken wand.
His breathing had stabilized. His injuries were mostly healed thanks to the academy’s emergency enchantments.
But his expression... was complicated.
Marcus looked down at his hands, trembling slightly.
What happened in those six months?
⸻
One week later
Classroom 1-D – Etherlight Spiritual Academy
Demonology and War Tactics Lecture
Professor Malrik Vane stood at the center of the classroom, his long black coat trimmed with red, a badge of war worn across his chest. He didn’t need to shout—his voice cut through the room like a blade.
Behind him, the glowing header on the rune-board read:
"Rise of the Demon Empire"
"We’ll discuss the rise of the Demon Empire shortly," he said, placing a single gloved hand on the edge of the desk. "But first—before you understand how they rose, you must know what they threaten."
His eyes scanned the class.
"Who can tell me the structure of the world’s current power layout?"
A hand rose.
"Miss Frostveil," Professor Vane said.
The silver-haired girl stood with poise, her mana quill hovering beside her.
"Yes, Professor. The world is currently divided into six major continents, each controlled by different dominant races and political structures."
She raised her hand, and a glowing projection of the world map shimmered into the air beside her, slowly rotating.
"—First, at the center of the known world, is the Human Continent, unified under the Human Federation, governed by the Human High Council. The Human Federation has strong military and magical institutions and maintains strategic border cities at the western edge to defend against invasion."
"—To the east lies the second continent: the Demon Continent, known officially as the Demon Empire. It is ruled solely by the Demon Overlord, and is the most militarized and rapidly expanding power in the world."
Professor Vane nodded slightly.
Elena continued.
"—The third continent is the Vampire Domain, led by the Vampire King, supported by the Five Vampire Counts. They possess immense individual strength and maintain an isolated, elitist society."
"—The fourth is the Werewolf Continent, ruled by one of the Four Alpha Families. These families hold rotational dominance and operate under a council system. Although tribal in structure, their military unity has increased under demon influence."
She flicked her fingers, and the map highlighted the south.
"—Fifth is the Beastkin Continent, known as Kerynth Isles. It’s not a single landmass but a massive archipelago: one central island and countless others scattered across the Southern Hemisphere. Beastkin control large parts of the southern seas and are crucial for naval warfare."
"—The sixth and final continent lies to the northeast. It’s shared between two powers: the Dwarven Kingdom of Thrain, a mountain empire built on metallurgy and runes; and the Elven High Council, led by the Elven Queen, who rules over the ancient forests of Lunaris. Despite political tension, both kingdoms are currently aligned."
She paused, then pointed to the west of the Human Continent.
"There is one more vital region—currently under invasion. A massive island chain west of the Human Federation, originally uninhabited, has become a strategic base for the Demon Alliance. This includes vampires, werewolves, and demons working together. The region is referred to as the Crimson Front."
A red hue marked the contested territory on the map.
"—To counter this, the Anti-Demon Alliance, composed of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Beastkin, maintains a string of heavily fortified cities along the western coast, forming the Frontline Wall. It’s both a defense line and a launch point for counter-invasions."
Professor Vane tapped his mana rod, and the map slowly faded.
"Summarize the global factions, Miss Frostveil," he asked.
"Yes, sir. The world is currently divided into two major factions:
—The Demon Faction: consisting of the Demon Empire, Vampire Domain, and Werewolf Tribes.
—The Anti-Demon Alliance: consisting of the Human Federation, Elven High Council, Dwarven Kingdom, and Beastkin Isles."
She gave a polite nod. "That completes my answer."
⸻
The professor crossed his arms and turned toward the rest of the class.
"Well done. Miss Frostveil receives full merit for clarity and precision."
Then, with a sharp breath:
"This is the world you live in."
He gestured toward the empty space where the map had been.
"Every border, every ocean, every mountain range—those aren’t just geography. They’re battlegrounds. Every name you just heard is either an ally preparing to defend your life, or an enemy sharpening a blade to end it."
He paused.
"And you... students of Etherlight... will soon step into that war."
The class had just settled again, the rune-board cleared and reset with a new glowing title:
"The Rise of the Demon Empire – From Arrival to Apocalypse"
Professor Malrik Vane stood silently, letting the title linger in the air like a dark memory.
He turned slowly, facing the class.
"Two thousand years ago," he said, "there was no such thing as a Demon Empire."
A few students leaned forward.
"The six great races—Humans, Vampires, Elves, Dwarves, Beastkin, and Werewolves—each ruled their own continents. There were wars, yes. Skirmishes. But balance endured. The most peaceful among them were the Beastkin, who thrived in harmony across lush jungles and the central continent, which back then... belonged to them."
He paused, then tapped the board. A projection shimmered into life: an old map showing multiple kingdoms and empires scattered in peace.
"Then came the Event that changed history."
He faced the class again.
"Can anyone tell me how the demons first entered our world?"
This time, Yumina Velhart a quiet girl raised her hand.
"They... came from another realm. Through a dimensional rift, hidden in the skies of the central continent."
"Correct," Professor Vane said. "We call them Demons, but the truth is—they are not native to this world."
"They arrived as emissaries, not invaders. Their words were soft, their gifts grand. They approached the Ogres and Oni first—two of the oldest subraces who lived among the Beastkin. The demons offered knowledge—alien technology, forbidden magic, even weapons forged from star-metal."
He clicked his fingers, and a vision of early demon emissaries flashed—cloaked figures shaking hands with brutish ogres and tall-horned oni generals.
"Many Beastkin leaders welcomed them. Others remained cautious. But the one who doubted them most... was the Oni Sword God."
He paused dramatically.
"Kenzaki Ryoujin. The world remembers him by a different name—The Greatest Sword Ever Born."
Students murmured.
Professor Vane stepped forward, his tone grim.
"Ryoujin was more than the strongest swordsman. He was said to have stood on equal ground with gods. But he was also wise. When he noticed demons slowly replacing Beastkin villagers with disguised invaders, when he learned they were summoning their kin from beyond the veil... he acted."
He pointed to the board.
"Ryoujin gathered the Oni Clans and led the first assault on demon strongholds. Other Beastkin soon followed. It was a slaughter."
Ezra watched silently. His hand was resting gently on his desk.
"But while the Beastkin fought... the world watched."
Professor Vane’s eyes narrowed.
"Vampires, who had just signed peace after their bloody war with the Werewolves, chose to ally with the demons instead. They saw an opportunity for power."
"Soon after, Werewolves followed. Some say out of survival. Others say betrayal."
"Still, Ryoujin fought. He personally struck down the first Demon Emperor, a being many believed to be a god. But..."
He stopped.
A new projection appeared: a massive crater with a sword embedded in it.
"The Demon Emperor didn’t die alone. He took Ryoujin with him."
Silence filled the classroom.
"And with the Sword Saint gone, the tides shifted."
The map darkened, showing red waves sweeping over the central continent.
"Without the Oni, the Beastkin kingdom fell. Demons claimed the continent. And only then did the other races intervene."
He looked at the class, voice now sharp.
"Humans, Elves, and Dwarves formed a fragile alliance and joined the war—but by then, it was too late. Half the world was already under demonic banners."
A student raised their hand. "What about the counterattack? Didn’t the alliance push them back?"
Professor Vane nodded.
"Yes. For a time. But demons changed their strategy."
"They infiltrated."
The rune-board flickered and showed shadowy figures.
"Using dark cults and corrupted bloodlines, they created internal enemies:
• Dark Order in the Human Federation.
• Low Dwarves in the Dwarven Kingdom.
• Dark Elves in Lunaris."
"From inside, they sabotaged, assassinated, and destabilized."
Ezra’s expression didn’t change, but his grip on his pen tightened.
Professor Vane went on.
"This plunged the world into a hundred years of endless war. Then... something unexpected happened."
He waved his rod. The illusion shifted to a sky of fire.
"The Dragons awakened."
Gasps broke out across the room.
"Yes. From their thousand-year slumber, four of the Elder Dragons rose and joined the war. They tore through demon forces. Four dragons defeated seven Archdukes of Hell. Entire legions vanished overnight."
"Why did they help?" someone whispered.
"No one knows," Professor Vane said. "Maybe they were threatened. Maybe they simply hated demons. But their arrival... changed everything."
The map now glowed gold and red—massive battles breaking out across all fronts.
"Using the dragons’ assault as cover, the Anti-Demon Alliance launched their largest counteroffensive in history. For the first time... the demon legions retreated."
He paused.
"But it didn’t last."
The projection faded to black.
"The dragons vanished again. One by one."
"And the world... entered an age of uneasy peace. Demon Empire still holds vast lands. But now, the battle lines are drawn."
He looked toward the class.
"And today... the Anti-Demon Alliance attacks only from one front—Crimson Front. Because the rest of the world... is already lost or barely holding."
A long, heavy silence settled.
No one moved.
Then Professor Vane clicked his rod.
"Tomorrow, we begin with the internal structures of the Demon Empire—its Archdukes, the Nine Blood Thrones, and its God-King prophecy."
He stepped back.
"Class dismissed."
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